Nonskid chain



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vPatented Nov. Z, 1926.

UNITED VFili-UlfEJ`V1 OFFICE.

HUGH T. HUGHES, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIGOR OF ONE-HALF TO ALBERT CROST, 0F CLEVELAND, OHIO.

NONSKII) CHAIN.

Application filed February The objects of the invention are to provide simple and efficient means for resiliently connecting parts of the longitudinal chains of an anti-skid chain for the tires of a motor car which serve to cause the chain to lit the tire closely, and to take up any looseness in an oversize chain, and which also serve to provide yielding elements in the chain which prevent it from breaking when the brake is suddenly applied to the wheel.

These yielding elements form units which are attachable to any chain and can be quickly supplied when the chains become broken from any unexpected cause, and thus form means for road repair and can be separately carried in the tool boX of the car.

The invention also has reference to a lever actuated connecting device for the ends of the chain which permits the ends of the chain to be quickly connected about the tire at any time without any difculty, by unskilled hands.

The invention comprises the combination and arrangement of parts and construction of details hereinafter described, shown in the accompanying drawings and specilically pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a tire showing the mode of application of the device thereto.

Fig. 2 is a plan of the resilient element.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation thereof.

Fig. 4 is a plan of the sheet metal stamping from which the holding devices of the resilient elements are made before it has been formed into an elongated eye.

Fig. 5 is an edge view thereof.

In these views, 1 represents the longitudinal or long circumferential members of the nonskid chain, and 2, the transverse connecting members.

3 is a lever which is pivoted at i to one end of each side chain and which is provided with a hooked end 5, which is first inserted into the outer link, of the opposite end of the chain, and then by means of the lever end is turned backward to form a hook 9 which connects the opposite ends of the chain together.

5, 1923. serial No. 617,083.

At 10, the resilient coiled springs are shown interposed between links 11, 11 of the longitudinal chains and form resilient ele-- ments therein. These springs are held between the loops 12, 12 which are passed side by side in reversed positions through the Coils of the springs.

These loops may be formed or wire but are preferably formed of sheet metal as follows:

First the blank 12 shown in Figs. 4 and 5 is stamped Jfrom the metal sheet, having the hooked ends 13 applied together but separated on the axial line 14. These extremities are then brought together and overlapped to close the loop at that end,'thus forming a loop closed at both ends but having its hooked ends easily separated for the insertion of the chain link at that end.

The opposite end of the loop is provided with a T head 15, which is engaged by one end ofthe coil of the spring, the other end of the coil being engaged by the head of the adjacent loop which is reversed in position as shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

In this manner when a sudden strain is brought upon the resilient element, the coiled spring will be compressed Abetween the T heads of the loops, and the element will yield and prevent the chain from breaking.

This device is simple, efficient and of slight initial cost, and can be furnished with the chainsv and carried in the repair kit in the machine to enablev the driver to repair a broken chain while upon the road.

These devices can also be applied tostandard chains of kany make and can be applied by unskilled labor with the greatest ease.

Having described the invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a resilient section for the purpose set forth, a coiled spring, a pair .of draw members positioned therein in reversed positions, each draw member provided with a l T-shaped head at one end, a central slot, and with hooked and overlapping extremities at the other end.

2. In a device of the character described, Va sheet metal draw element, said element therethrough, one extremity of each niemher being closed and having laterally extended lugs engagealole with one end of said coiled spring and the other extremity heing also closed and having split and overlapping ends and detachably engageahle with one end of said nonslid chain, suhstantially as described.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto set my hand this 13th day of January 1923.

HUGH T. HUGHES. 

